Control valve



Patented Mar. 10, 1942 CONTROL VALVE Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, Califl, assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calm, a corporation of California Application January 11, 1941, Serial No. 374,050

16 Claims.

This invention relates to control valves, and more particularly to valves of the type forming part of a run-in tubular string connected to a well device, as a cement retainer or other well packer. Such. control valves are incorporated in the run-in string preferably near the well device to provide selective control of the passage of fluid from the string through the device or between the annular space around the string and its interior.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application for Well packer apparatus, Serial No. 333,491, filed May 6, 1940.

Heretofore, control valves of the character indicated above have been provided with sealing rings engageable with a cooperable seat over only a small sealing area. Not only does this condition prevail, but the sealing rings are so arranged in the control device as to be subjected to the entire strain or load imposed upon the tubular string and well device, causing their permanent deformation and leakage. Accordingly, it becomes an object of the present invention to provide a control valve preferably designed for incorporation in a tubular string, in which a large sealing area isobtained when the valve is closed, and in which the packing member of the valve is not subjected to any tensile or compressive forces in the tubular string.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a flow control valve capable of being incorporated in a tubular string, in which the valve may be closed either by an extensible movement between its cooperable telescopic elements or by a contractable movement between such elements.

Yet another object of the invention'is to provide a telescopic circulation and expansion joint capable of forming part of a run-in string, and having a resilient packing member subjected only to fluid pressure forces which increase the sealing effectiveness of the packing against its cooperable seat.

The invention has other objects that will be- I come apparent from a consideration of the embodiment shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part .of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an elevation of the invention, disclosed for purposes of example in association with a well packer.

The control valve A, illustrated in the form of a circulation and'expansion joint, is incorporated in a tubular string with -its upper. collar in threaded to a joint of tubing B, and with its lower mandrel H threadedly connected with a sub C, which, in turn, is detachably secured to a well device D such as a cement retainer or packer, this latter connection usually being effected by means of mating left hand threads (not shown), in order that right hand rotation of the tubular string B can produce disconnection of the sub C from the cement retainer D after the latter has been set in the casing.

The circulation and expansion joint A consists of the aforementioned mandrel ll provided with a plurality of splines l2 secured thereto for cooperatively forming a telescopic connection with inwardly directed ribs I3 on the interior of a terminal abutment I8 threadedly secured to a cylinder or barrel [5 whose upper end is attached to the collar ID, as by welding material l6. These parts permit relative extensible and contractable longitudinal movement between the mandrel I l and cylinder l5, and also provide a positive driving interconnection, because of the engagement between the ribs l3 on the abut: ment i4 and the splines I2 secured to the mandrel II. It is to be noted, however, that circumferential arcuate clearance I1 is allowed between the'splines and ribs to permit passage of fluid therebetween whenever the control valve is in open position.

The mandrel ll carries a resilient packing ring or sleeve l8 of rubber or equivalent material which is adaptd to close the valve device by seat- 1 ing within an upstanding cylindrical sleeve l9 integral with or otherwise secured to the abut- .ment l4.. This packing member I8 is attached to the mandrel I I by being held between an upper head 20 threaded to the mandrel and a lower retainer ring 2| suitably secured to the mandrel, as by welding material 22. The packing'member i8 is molded, vulcanized or otherwise attached to a filler and spacer ring 23 surrounding the man drel, whose opposed ends abut the head 20 and r t iner ring 2 I.

The securing of the packing member [8 to the filler ring 23 prevents its removal from the mandrel II under the action of fluid pressure and other forces. As a further precaution against its displacement or loss, the packing member I8 is provided with oppositely directed portions I8a, 8b embraced by respective opposed skirts 20a, 2Ia on the head and retainer ring directed toward each other. The sealing portion of the packing member I8 between the skirts 20a, 2Ia extends radially beyond the peripheries of the head 20 and retainer ring 2I in order that it may seat within the upstanding sleeve I9 and have sealing engagement with its inner cylindrical surface I911. The unrestrained outside diameter of the packing member I8, which is its diameter when out of the sleeve I9, is preferably slightly greater than the internal diameter of the sleeve I9 to .ensure their proper sealing engagemnt, and the upper end I 9b of the sleeve is bevelled for the purpose of guidingthe packing into the cylindrical portion I9a of. the sleeve upon extensible movement between the mandrel II and cylinder I5. To allow th packing I8 to adjust itself to better advantage upon being drawn into the sleeve I9, its outer surface can be provided with once again between the mandrel II and cylinder I5 and through the arcuate spaces I1.

In the event that it is desired to impose downwardly directed weight on the tubular string B to close the valve device A; that is, to effect its closing upon contractable movement'of the cylinder I5 and mandrel I I, a nipple 26 is threaded into the upper collar ID. This nipple is provided with a sealing ring 21 disposed in its lower inclined terminus 28 for engagement with a cooperable inclined seat 29 formed at the upper end of the head secured to the mandrel II.

The telescoping of the mandrel II within the an intermediate circumferential groove 24, perthe annular-space between the cylinder I5 and mandrel II, and through the annular passages I'I defined by the splines I2 and ribs I3 to the exterior of the circulation and expansion joint. Of course, with the valve parts in the Figure 1 position, fluid may also be circulated from the exterior to the interior of the device reversely along the path just described. Whenever the valve is to be closed (Figure 2), the cylinder I5 and mandrel II are relatively extended, as by elevating the tubular string B, and the packing member I8 moved into the upstanding sleeve I9 until the welding material 22 engages a cooperable seat 25 on the abutment I4. With the parts in this position, fluid cannot pass between the interior and exterior of the valve device, but is forced to move through the device either to or from the cement retainer D.

Pressure acting on the rubber packing member I8 merely tends to compress it in an axial direca relatively large cylindrical area against the inner surface I9a of the sleeve I9. It is to be noted that this pressure action issubstantially the only force on the rubber packing member I8 since any tensile or compressive strains in the tubular string B are transmitted between the cylinder I5 and mandrel II through the abutting retainer ring 2|, or its weld 22, and the cooperable inclined annular seat 25 on the abutment I4. As a result, the. rubber packing member I8 possesses a long life, and is capable of effectively and efficient-ly sealing against the cooperable cylindrical seat I9a on the sleeve under very high cylinder I5 to its fullest extent will engage the inclined head seat 29 with the sealing ring 21 and prevent passage of fluid through the valve device between its interior and exterior.

If such mode of closing the valve device is not required, the nipple 26 can be omitted, in which event complete telescoping of the mandrel- II in the cylinder I5 will cause the head 20 to engage spaced lugs 30 extending from the lower end of the collar I0. With the parts in this position, passage of fluid between the interior and exterior of the valve device can still occur through the spaces 3| between the depending lugs 30 and between the cylinder I5 and mandrel II.

As assurance against leakage through the threaded connection between the lower end of the cylinder I5 and the abutment I4, a seal is placed between these parts. This seal may be.

of any suitable form, in the present instance consisting of a round resilient or elastic packing ring 32 carried in a -V-shaped groove 33 in the exterior ofthe abutment member I4 and engageable with the inner surface of the cylinder I5.

I claim:

1. A control valve, comprising inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other and spaced from each other to form a passage establishing communication between the interior and exterior of said members, one of said members having packing means and the other of said members being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to be engaged by said packing means to effect a seal between said members to close said passage while permitting flow of fluid through one of said members into the other of said members, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing means being substantially equal to the diameter of said seating surface.

2. A control valve, comprising inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other and spaced from each other to form a passageestablishing communication between the interior and exterior of said members, one of said members having packing means and the other of said members being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to be engaged by said packing means to effect a seal between said members to close said passage while permitting flow of fluid through one of said members into the other of said members, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing means being substantially equal to the diameter of said seating surface, and means for limiting the extent of telescopic movement between said members to determine the position of said packing means with respect to said cylindrical seating-surface.

3. A control valve; comprising inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other and spaced from each other to form a passage establishing communication between the interior and exterior of said members, one of said members having packing means and the other of said members being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to be engaged by said packing means to effect a seal between said members to close said passecured to said inner member, a substantially cylindrical packing held on said inner member between said head and ring, the outer member being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to receive said packing,

V the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface sage while permitting flow of fluid through one 4. A control valve adapted to be connected to a tubing string or the like, including inner and outer tubular members telescopically arranged one within the other and spaced from each other to form a longitudinal passage therebetween through which fluid may flow along the exterior of said inner member between the interior and exterior of said outer member, the inner member having a substantially cylindrical packing thereof said packing being substantially equal to the diameter ofsaid surface, and means secured to .said outer member and adapted to abut said ring to limit the extent of movement of said packing within said cylindrical seating surface, said ring being of smaller external diameter than the diameter of said cylindrical seating surface.

on and the outer member being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to receive said packing to close .said passage and confine flow of fluid through one member.

into said other member, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing being substantially equal to the diameter of said seating surface but smaller than the internal diameter of the outer member adjacent said seating surface.

5. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other and spaced from each other to form a longitudinal passage therebetween through which fluid may flow along the exterior of said inner member between the interior and exterior of said outer member, the inner member carrying a substantially cylindrical packing thereon and the outer member being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to receive said packing to close said passage and confine flow of fluid through one member into said other member, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing being substantially equal-to the diameter of said seating surface but smaller than the internal diameter of the outer member adjacent said cylindrical surface, and means for transmitting strains between said inner and outer members without subjecting the packing to such strains.

6. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other, the inner member carrying a substantially cylindrical packing thereon and the outer member being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to receive said packing, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing being substantially equal to the diameter of said surface but smaller than the internal diameter of the outer member adjacent said cylindrical surface, and cooperable inner member being smaller than the diameter of said cylindrical seating surface.

7, A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including an inner member telescopically arranged within an outer member, a head on said inner member, a ring 8. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including an inner member telescopically arranged within an outer member, a head fixed to said inner member, a retainer ring secured to said inner member, a filler ring mounted on said inner member between and engaging said head and retainer ring, a

substantially cylindrical packing secured to said filler ring and embraced by said head and re- .-tainer ring, the outer member being provided with a substantiallycylindrical seating surface adapted to receive and be engaged by said packing, the unrestrained diameter of the sealing surface of said packing being substantially equal to the diameter of said seating surface.

9. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including an inner member telescopically arranged within an outer member, a head secured to the upper end of said inner member, a retainer ring secured to said inner member below said head, a filler ring mounted on said inner member between and engaging said head and retainer ring, a substantially cylindrical packing secured to said filler ring and embraced by'said head and retainer ring, the outer member being provided with a substantially cylindrical seating surface adapted to receive and be engaged by said packing to efiect a seal between said members, the unrestrained diameter of said packing being substantially equal to the diameter of said seating surface, and an abutment secured to said outer member below said retainer'ring and engageable therewith to limit the extent of extensible movement between said members.

10. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or'tlie like, including an inner member movable longitudinally within an outer member, a head secured to said inner member, a retainer ring secured to said inner member, a filler ring mounted on said inner member between and engaging said head and retainer ring, a packing secured to said filler ring and embraced by said head and retainer ring, and a' seat on said outer member adapted to be engaged by said packing to effect a seal between said members. a

11. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including an inner member movable longitudinally within an outer member and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage establishing communication between the interior of said inner. member and the exterior of said outer member, and cooperablepacking and seating means carried by'said members to prevent flow of fluid through said passage between the interior of said inner member and the exterior of said outer member whensaid members are in both their fully. extended and contracted positions. a

12. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or thelike, including an inner member movable longitudinally within an outer member and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage establishing communication between the interior of said inner member and the exterior of said outer member, spaced seats on one of said members, and a head on the other of said members between said seats selectively en gageable therewith to prevent flow of fluid through said passage between the interior of said inner member and the exterior of said outer member when said members are in both their fully extended and contracted positions.

13. A control valve adapted to form part of a tubing string or the like, including an inner membermovable longitudinally within an outer member and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage establishing communication between the interior of said inner member and the exterior of said outer member, longitudinally spaced seats on said outer member, and a double acting head on said inner member between said .outer members telescopically arranged one within the other, said outer member having a restricted portion therein provided with a generally cylindrical seating surface forming an annular passage with said inner member through which fluids can flow between the interior and exterior of said outer member, and said inner member having a packing movable into said restricted portion for efiecting a seal with said seating surface to close said passage.

15. A circulation and expansion joint adapted to be connected to a tubing string and the like, including inner and outer members telescopicallyarranged one within the other, said outer member having a restricted-portion therein provided with a generally cylindrical seating surface forming an annular passage with said inner member through which fluids can flow between the interior and exterior of said outer member, and said inner member having a packing move able into said restricted portion for effecting a! seal with said seating surface upon relative ex-3 tensible movement between said members to close said passage, said packing being of less diameter than the unrestricted portions of said outer member to permit fluid passage between the packing and outer member when said members are in contracted position.

16. A circulation and expansion joint adapted to be connected to a tubing string and the like, including inner and outer members telescopically arranged one within the other, said-outer member having a restricted portion therein provided with a generally cylindrical seating surface forming an annular passage with said inner member through which fluids can flow between the interior and exterior of said outer member, and said inner member having a packing movable into said restricted portion for effecting a seal with said seating surface to close said passage, said packing being movable into the unrestricted portions of said outer member to permit fluid passage between the packing and outer member.

REUBEN C. BAKER. 

